Andrea Tran wrote

>Accountability is for everyone, and we as HCP's know what the AAP 
>statement is, so why do we continue to employ routines that interrupt 
>this delicate period of time?
>
I agree that accountability is for everyone. I think HCPs have a special 
responsability for being accountable. It is their work ; they have been 
trained to do it; they owe it to laypeople to explain why and how they 
are recommending practices.

I think it's interesting that, despite the potential for not being able 
to give adequate explanations of complex medical issues, physicians 
often seem quite willing to discuss "treatment options" with a client.
 
But I also understand the need of the birthing woman to be very 
well-informed about the work her body is doing. Knowledge is power, and 
not only because we use it to convince other people to do what we want 
them to. Even within ourselves, with no one else involved, not 
understanding can lead to fear, fear can lead to defensiveness, 
defensiveness can lead to lack of action, confusion, regret...  I've 
often wished prenatal classes focussed more on the healthy range of 
emotions surrounding birthing and mothering.

I do want to suggest a book that should be made available to all parents 
-- especially Canadian ones. _Pregnancy and Birth: The Best Evidence_ 
provides lots of explanations in lay language; I used it to discuss 
management of my most complicated pregnancy with my HCP, who was either 
impressed by Teresa and Joyce Barrett's information or my understanding 
of it. My key phrase were "I understand that... [quote of statistics, 
evidence, etc. ]" and "Could you explain why you're recommending this?"

I have no vested interest in this book.

Jo-Anne

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